The course was launched in May by Areva University in partnership with France' Panthéon-Sorbonne University.

The participants each of whom have at least five years of professional experience in engineering were selected on the strength of their written application and subsequent interviews and completed their training through internships.

This university partnership added more strength to French nuclear giant Areva's initiatives to offer South Africa training in and development of nuclear skills - an aim demonstrated in February, when the group and Necsa signed cooperation agreements in Cape Town in the presence of presidents Nicolas Sarkozy and Thabo Mbeki.

"Training and passing on skills are of vital importance to South Africa's successful economic development. The Panthéon-Sorbonne University and the Areva University are delighted to be making an active contribution through this excellence programme," it said in a statement.

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